Brothers: The Hidden History of the Kennedy Years

Politics International Politics
1

It never ceases to amaze me at the sorts of shenanigans the US and it’s spookier elements are accused of. I mean, for example, the murder of a president.

I posted this in Aural candies, but I just listened to it again and my god it is good.

Australian radio host Philip Adams with a superb podcast interview with the founding editor of Salon, and author of a new book, Brothers, about Jack and Bobby Kennedy and who killed Jack and why. It sounds fantastic, indeed, but worth a listen to hear how all the dots get connected, and for a very good look at the working relationship of the Kennedy brothers and who they had working for them.

Personally I don’t have much time for conspiracies, or the history of the Kennedys, but this interview has me thinking very much about getting the book.

Some very good “I didn’t know thats” in here. Like for example how damned close this movie was to the mark.

Also that LBJ (he doesn’t cop the blame here) wasn’t convinced by the Warren commission, and how that commission knee capped Bobby Kennedy.

Here’s the page where you can listen to the interview. The Kennedy Brothers

[quote]The early sixties were a turbulent time in American politics. It was the height of the Cold War; the CIA was madly plotting the assassination of Fidel Castro and the liberation of Cuba; the Soviet Union and the USA had nuclear missiles that could annihilate the world pointing at each other; and domestically in the U.S. there was an ongoing crusade against organised crime the likes of which the Mafia had never seen before.

The Kennedy’s, both John and Robert, had made themselves unpopular with all these elements, so it’s no wonder that the idea that a lone dissatisfied American would choose to murder the President didn’t sit well with many Americans, especially with Bobby Kennedy.

In this book, David Talbot looks at those years, not to rehash what’s already been written about that time, but from the perspective of Bobby Kennedy himself.

Guests
David Talbot
Journalist; founder of the online magazine “salon.com”; former Senior Editor at Mother Jones magazine.

Publications
Title: Brothers: The Hidden History of the Kennedy Years
Author: David Talbot
Publisher: The Free Press[/quote]

HG

2

Give over. You’ve been grinding that axe for quite sometime now. What’s the matter? A little miffed that Australia’s bush-licking prime minister(sicK) is a sodding little runt of a rotter? He’s on his way out, right, so give it a rest, wot?! It’s called transference, and it’s not healthy for the mind.

US history is full of spookier & spookier elements. What else could it have possibly have been, Vast Melting Pot of Kultures that it was? And is?

I suggest, for perspective, you read Alistair Cooke’s “America”, at once.

[quote]The early sixties were a turbulent time in American politics. It was the height of the Cold War; the CIA was madly plotting the assassination of Fidel Castro and the liberation of Cuba; the Soviet Union and the USA had nuclear missiles that could annihilate the world pointing at each other; and domestically in the U.S. there was an ongoing crusade against organised crime the likes of which the Mafia had never seen before.

The Kennedy’s, both John and Robert, had made themselves unpopular with all these elements, so it’s no wonder that the idea that a lone dissatisfied American would choose to murder the President didn’t sit well with many Americans, especially with Bobby Kennedy.

In this book, David Talbot looks at those years, not to rehash what’s already been written about that time, but from the perspective of Bobby Kennedy himself.

Guests
David Talbot
Journalist; founder of the online magazine “salon.com”; former Senior Editor at Mother Jones magazine.

Publications [/quote]

Isn’t this old hat?
Hasn’t this been Done?

I must confess that I have not read the book, but from the quote above I didn’t hear anything new under the sun. The audio link was clear & concise, but…
Throw in a few aliens, a fiendish neo-Nazi plot, and the evil machinations of The Jacobites, and one might have a ripping new yarn.
:America:

3

Give over. You’ve been grinding that axe for quite sometime now. What’s the matter? A little miffed that Australia’s bush-licking prime minister(sicK) is a sodding little runt of a rotter? He’s on his way out, right, so give it a rest, wot?! It’s called transference, and it’s not healthy for the mind.[/quote]

Axe to grind? None at all. And which particular axe are you referring to? I’ve never written anything about Kennedy, as far as I can recall, and frankly I’m not sold on the “he was offed by rogue elements” stuff. Maybe you misunderstood, so just in case I’ll restate the crux:

Australia is also a vast melting pot of many kulchas, and although we had one Prime Minister disappear while in office, we don’t tend to develop fantastic theories about which sections of our government might have killed him. Although there is a collective joke that he may have been squirreled away by a Chinese sub, and more recently, a dingo out for a surf. Mind you there is none but the particularly lank-haired lunatic and extreme fringe that bother to really suggest the disappearance of Howard Holt was anything but a silly accident. In any case, no one across the political spectrum, well no one of any substance.

I’m just stating the obvious. From where I sit I find it fascinating that almost nothing of significance in the US can be written off or accepted by the vast majority as obvious. Kennedy is the biggie, but you also have Pearl Harbour - did the president know in advance?; the mad theories about 9/11 and so on. Jesus wept, even the flag flying snap of Iwo Jima is a point of contention.

This latest book is from a man with very serious credentials in journalism, and claims to reflect the views of some of Bobby Kennedy’s immediate circle, and indeed Bobby Kennedy and even LBJ, that there was some sinister hand at work that day in Dallas.

From my perspective it astonishes me how deeply divided the US political system is, and the levels of distrust that run through these divisions. See for example how opponents of the war are branded traitors, or that Bush and his cronies used 9/11 as a pretext for grabbing Iraq’s oil. My point is an observation, not necessarily a criticism, and frankly I’m getting mighty sick of being confused with some anti-American muppet. I also no longer feel the need to back my claims otherwise.

Anyway, it is just a truism that all Americans are complete wankers, so what’s wrong with you? Why don’t you get it?

HG

4

[quote=“TheGingerMan”]
:America:[/quote]

TGM - I love America. HG is wrong about everything.

Did I mention I love America?

5

My Dad says I’m possibly related to that PM that was eaten by a shark, but then he always was a bit odd. My dad, not the PM.

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Is there any resemblance? He doesn’t look very big, or especially fluffy.

In the final, erh, wash up. Fish 1 vs Holt 1.

But I always thought it rather sweet of the Melbourne municipal authorities to name a swimming pool after him. One supposes so that no more of our PMs will be lost at sea.

HG

7

Give over. You’ve been grinding that axe for quite sometime now. What’s the matter? A little miffed that Australia’s bush-licking prime minister(sicK) is a sodding little runt of a rotter? He’s on his way out, right, so give it a rest, wot?! It’s called transference, and it’s not healthy for the mind.[/quote]

Axe to grind? None at all. And which particular axe are you referring to? I’ve never written anything about Kennedy, as far as I can recall, and frankly I’m not sold on the “he was offed by rogue elements” stuff. Maybe you misunderstood, so just in case I’ll restate the crux…[/quote]
Nice try. I was referring to yer recent US bashing. With an abundance of k’s…

No offence to Australia, who’s had quite a few political characters, no doubt. But, ye hardly rule the world, and your historical experience is vastly dfferent from that of North America. Apples and oranges…

Old hat, News of the World shite: Far more intriging to me is the Revolutionary war, and race relations within the vast & never-ending military-civilian exchanges. The Korean War experience reveals much about basic paradigms…

Mother Jones, serious credentials?
However, I will say naught but good about Robert Kennedy, who I’ve always admired deeply.

That’s just muckracking politics. It’s been the same since Alexander. If Oz ruled the world, we’d hear about great penetrations in the hops fields. :slight_smile:

[quote] My point is an observation, not necessarily a criticism, and frankly I’m getting mighty sick of being confused with some anti-American muppet.[/quote] So why not adopt a little more positive stance? I’m sure you are positively familiar with some of the great works of American poets, painters, writers, musicians, hell even rock & roll, all its roots & all it’s tributaries.

Lame cop-out excuse. A debate deserves better than that.

Spent too much under shitestorms from expat Canucks for wearing an Olympic (=very small flag) USA shirt. Even actually willingly driven back to withstand violence for the very same cause.
Which is: citizens of the Commonwealth would do well to remember America’s postive role in our historical defence. Also, the vast social-artistic contributions of America, will not be denied.
So the Bush era is noxious & vapid, so what?
Have patience, will travel.

8

Like I said, I don’t feel the need to explain myself. If you wish to tar me as a rabid anti-yank, as it appears you do, then ces’t la guerre. Pro/anti-American queries bore me senseless.

My particular point for starting the thread was an observation made while listening to a rather good interview. You haven’t heard it, obviously, so what’s to pursue?

HG

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I thought it was Harold Holt but I fully understand why you wrote Howard. I may be wrong. I am going to a BBQ now.

BroonAmigo

10

aren’t some of them? in reality traitors? Compare what would have been considered treasonable behavior during World War II with what has been taking place today…

Hence, you should be able to quite easily prove how much of Iraq’s oil the US or US oil companies control today.

Yeah. You and Rascal. Busy observing…

That is because, quite frankly, you are.

11

That is because, quite frankly, you are.[/quote]

Issabadgeofhono
u
r

:smiling_imp:

BroonAcapulco

12

Why is the “U” capitalized Broon? What are yoU trying to say? haha

13

Jusht enjoying my Sounday afternoon. :beer:

BroonAle

14

[quote]Quote:
or that Bush and his cronies used 9/11 as a pretext for grabbing Iraq’s oil.

Hence, you should be able to quite easily prove how much of Iraq’s oil the US or US oil companies control today.
[/quote]

So so dumass.

15

I guess that means no proof? haha what a surprise… don’t let that lack of evidence get in the way of your political beliefs however… Bush lied. Troops died.

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Tell it to Greenspan. We’re board with tawdry.

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s
[/b]ed, it’s a lower case U, just in bold and made bigger. But I wouldn’t expect you to know about capital letters, Mr. little ‘f’ Fred little ‘s’ Smith :stuck_out_tongue:

18

Is this a new expression? What does it mean?

Fred

19

I wondered the same thing.

Excellent interview HG.

20

Isn’t pretty much the obligation of every UK and colonial citizen to whinge (like little women) about all things American? :smiley: